Utilitarian bag with openable bottom and insulated compartment

ABSTRACT

The bag has a body and a bottom. A mesh sheet is attached to the wall of the body and extends over the bottom. A zipper is provided for attaching the bottom to the bag body such that the bottom of the bag can be opened to allow particulate matter to be emptied from the bag without removing the contents of the bag. A pocket-like compartment is provided within the bag. The compartment has a lining formed of thermal insulating material such that the temperature of beverages and other food items can be maintained for an extended period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to utilitarian bags designed for use in recreational activities, including at the beach where sand may accidentally enter the bag, and during which cold drinks may be consumed.

2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 Cfr 1.97 and 1.98

Beach bags often are used to store wet and sand swimsuits and thus accidentally get sand in them which tends to accumulates at the bottom of the bag. The sand which accumulates at the bottom of the bag cannot be emptied until all of the articles in the bag are removed, the bag is turned upside down, and shaken vigorously.

Similarly, bags used for other recreational activities, particularly those played on a field, may collect fine dirt particles or other particulate mater which must be removed from the bag.

It is possible to make a bag with a bottom which could be opened to allow the sand, dirt and other particulate matter to fall out. However, opening the bottom of the bag would cause the contents of the bag to fall out the bottom along with the particulate matter. Thus, it would be convenient to have a bag which would allow emptying the bag of sand, dirt or other particulate matter without having first to remove the contents of the bag.

Moreover, cold drinks are often sought at recreational activities, particularly activities at the beach or viewing a ball game during the hot weather. It would be advantageous to have a bag which could keep drinks cold for an extended period of time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag with an openable bottom.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag with a heat insulating compartment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag with an openable bottom and a heat insulating compartment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag an openable bottom and an insulating compartment including a mesh sheet situated across the bottom of the bag which allows particulate matter to escape but retains the other contents of the bag when the bottom of the bag is open.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag an openable bottom and an insulating compartment wherein the bottom of the bag is attached to the bag a zipper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag an openable bottom and an insulating compartment wherein the zipper extends along the front and sides of the bag.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag an openable bottom and an insulating compartment wherein the insulating compartment has a thermal lining,

It is another object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag an openable bottom and an insulating compartment wherein the insulated compartment includes a reflective fabric.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag an openable bottom and an insulating compartment wherein the insulating compartment includes a waterproof fabric.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian bag an openable bottom and an insulating compartment, wherein the insulated compartment is removable from the bag.

Those objects are achieved by the present invention which relates to a bag having a body and a bottom. A mesh sheet is attached to the body and extends over the bottom. Means are provided for attaching the bottom of the bag to the body such that that the bottom of the bag can be opened.

The means for attaching the bottom of the bag to the body preferably takes the form of a zipper. The bag body has a front wall and side walls. The zipper extends along the front wall and the side walls.

The sheet has a mesh with openings large enough to permit particulate matter, such as sand and dirt to pass through the mesh.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a bag is provided including a body with an interior wall. The wall has a compartment. The compartment includes heat insulating material.

The compartment takes the form of a pocket. The insulating material forms a wall of the pocket.

The compartment includes a light reflecting fabric liner. The compartment may also include a waterproof fabric liner.

The bag also includes means for removably mounting the compartment to the bag wall.

In accordance with another object of the present invention, a bag is provided including a body and a bottom. A mesh sheet is attached to the wall and extends over the bottom. Means are provided for attaching the bottom to the bag body such that the bottom of the bag can be opened. A compartment is provided in the bag. The compartment is formed of heat insulating material.

The means for attaching the bottom to the body includes a zipper. The body has a front wall and side walls. The zipper extends along the front wall and the side walss of the bag.

The sheet has a mesh with openings large enough to permit particulate matter to pass through the mesh sheet.

The compartment takes the form of a pocket. The insulating material forms a wall of the pocket.

The compartment includes a light reflecting fabric liner. The compartment also includes a waterproof fabric liner.

The bag includes means for removably mounting the compartment to the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a utilitarian bag with an openable bottom and an insulating compartment as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the bag of the present invention showing the bag with the bottom closed;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the bag of FIG. 1 showing the bottom of the bag open;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the bag of FIG. 1 showing the bottom closed;

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the bag of FIG. 1 showing the mesh sheet and the thermal insulating compartment situated within the bag; and

FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the bag of FIG. 1 showing the mesh sheet and the thermal insulating compartment removed from the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the drawings, the bag of the present invention includes a body, generally designated A, formed of a front wall 10, side walls 12, 14, a rear wall 16, a bottom 18, and an open top 20. Handles 22 extending above the body are provided for carrying the bag.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a mesh sheet 24 is provided in the bag interior and extends over bottom 18. The edges of mesh sheet 24 are permanently affixed to the interior surface of the body walls by hear sealing, stitching or any other conventional attachment means.

Bottom 18 of the bag can be opened to allow any particulate matter, such as sand or dirt, to be emptied from the bag without removing the contents of the bag. In order to permit opening of the bottom, bottom 18 is attached to the body of the bag by a zipper 26. The zipper 26 extends along the front wall 10 and at least side walls 12, 14. The zipper may extend part way along rear wall 16, as well. However, it is preferable that the zipper 26 not extend along the entire rear wall so that it cannot be removed from the body completely and lost.

Mesh sheet 24 is formed of mesh with openings large enough to permit particulate matter, such as sand and dirt, to pass through the mesh. However, the openings are not large enough to permit other items within the bag to fall through the bottom.

Bag A is provided a pocket-like compartment 28. Compartment 28 is mounted to the interior surface 30 of rear wall 16. Compartment 28 has a lid 32. Lid 32 is attached to the remainder of the compartment by a zipper or other fastening device (not shown) such the interior of the compartment can be accessed when required and the lid can seal the compartment at other times.

The interior walls of compartment 28 are preferably lined with a thermal insulating material such that the temperature of hot or cold articles, such as containers of beverages or other foods can be maintained for extended period of time.

The interior walls of compartment 28 may also include a light reflecting fabric liner. Further, the compartment walls may also include a waterproof fabric liner.

As is illustrated in FIG. 5, bag may include means for removably mounting compartment 28 to interior surface 30 the bag wall 16. Those means my take the form of hook and loop fastener ribbon 32, as illustrated, or may consist of a zipper or adhesive strips.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to a bag with a body and a bottom. A mesh sheet is attached to the wall of the body and extends over the bottom. A zipper is provided for attaching the bottom to the bag body such that the bottom of the bag can be opened to allow particulate matter to be emptied from the bag without removing the contents of the bag. A pocket-like compartment is provided within the bag. The compartment is provided with a lining formed of thermal insulating material such that the temperature of beverages and other food items can be maintained for an extended period of time.

While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims. 

1. A bag comprising having a body and a bottom, a mesh sheet attached to said body and extending over said bottom, and means for attaching said bottom bag to said body such that that the bottom of the bag can be opened.
 2. The bag of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching the bottom of the bag to the body comprises a zipper.
 3. The bag of claim 2 wherein said body has a front wall and side walls, and wherein said zipper extends along said front wall and said side walls.
 4. The bag of claim 1 wherein said mesh sheet has openings large enough to permit particulate matter to pass through.
 5. A bag comprising a body with an interior wall, a compartment mounted to said interior wall, said compartment comprising a thermal insulating material.
 6. The bag of claim 5 wherein said compartment comprises a pocket and wherein said insulating material forms a wall of the pocket.
 7. The bag of claim 5 wherein said compartment comprises a light reflecting liner.
 8. The bag of claim 5 wherein said compartment comprises a waterproof liner.
 9. The bag of claim 5 comprising means for removably mounting said compartment to said bag wall.
 10. A bag comprising a body, a bottom, a mesh sheet attached to said body and extending over said bottom, means for attaching said bottom to said bag body such that the bottom of the bag can be opened, a compartment in said body, said compartment comprising heat insulating material.
 11. The bag of claim 10 wherein said means for attaching said bottom to said body comprises a zipper.
 12. The bag of claim 11 wherein said body has a front wall and side walls, and wherein said zipper extends along said front wall and said side wall.
 13. The bag of claim 10 wherein said mesh sheet has openings large enough to permit particulate matter to pass through.
 14. The bag of claim 10 wherein said compartment comprises a pocket and wherein said insulating material comprises a wall of said pocket.
 15. The bag of claim 10 wherein said compartment comprises light reflecting material.
 16. The bag of claim 10 wherein said compartment comprises waterproof material.
 17. The bag of claim 10 further comprising means for removably mounting the said compartment to said body. 